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What do you buy generic? What don't you buy generic?

I am all for saving a few cents here and there ... alas, I'm not a
big coupon gal (I never remember them and then when I do, they've
expired), so I had to find an easy way to save some cash. So I've been buying generic. Buying the store-brand of whatever it is I'm needing.

Good idea, right? Yes, in theory. The sad thing is not all generic
items are, well, very good. In my quest to pinch pennies, I've
discovered a few things that I will never, not ever buy generic again and some fabu generic scores in the grocery store aisles that can save you $$$$! Let's all do the thrifty dance as I pass my list on to you ...

What I never buy generic:

1. Paper towels -- Really, there is nothing worse
than cleaning. When you have to don your housework cap, you want it to
go quickly, efficiently, be done with it ASAP. Generic paper towels just
don't cut it. They dissolve within one swipe of the table, they leave
behind little paper towel turds (the rolled-up little remnants that look
like some small rodent pooped them out), they make me work harder ...
which Mama doesn't like.

2. Trash bags -- You're loading up the trash can,
peeved that your husband didn't take out the trash before he left for
work. You hoist it up and rrrrriiiiippppppp. Yes, that has happened to
me -- but only when I bought generic trash bags. I am not sure why these
bags aren't like the rest, but they do feel a tad flimsier. Flimsy. Not
a word you want to describe what's holding your trash during "clean out
the fridge" week.

3. Tampons -- Do I really need to
illuminate this reason? It is that time of the month, you're making your
way to Hormonalville on the Crankypants Train ... and the tampon you're
using doesn't quite, ahem, work as it should. Another pair of underwear
ruined.

4. Antibacterial lotion -- You know those hand
sanitizers. You may think the store-brand is just as good as the
brand-name kind, but it isn't. Look at the percentage of alcohol -- it
isn't enough to kill the germies. Also, the smell of the generic one is
aw-ful.

5. Toilet paper -- If there is one thing in life I
need, it's a nice-feeling tushy. Be kind to your tushy and your tushy
will be kind to you (and do its best to get into those pre-pregnancy
jeans). The generic toilet paper just doesn't cut it, folks. Scratchy,
coarse, linty. Not good, not good at all.

What I always buy generic:

1. Ibuprofen -- I am getting old. How do I know?
Every morning I wake up a little sore. Not a lot, but a little. Not to
mention all of the aches and pains still left over from carrying Kiddo
for 40 weeks. I pop the ibuprofen often. Even your doctor will tell you
the generic kind is just as good.

2. Sheets -- Now, I'm not saying to grab the
negative 83-count sheets from the dude on the corner, but stores like
Macy's and Wal-Mart have their own lines of homegoods and sheets, which
are just as good as some of the designer sheets you may be drawn to
purchase. Especially as your back-up set of sheets, store-brand is the
way to go.

3. Antibacterial soap -- Different from its lotion
cousin, generic antibacterial soap is a must if you have a pretty soap
pumpy-thing and buy the big jugs of hand soap. Read the ingredients on
the store-name antibacterial soap. Same as the brand name. Same
does-not-exist-in-nature shade of orange. Grab it.

4. Light bulbs -- Not sure why there is even a
distinction here ... you can only make a light bulb so different. At the
end of the day, they all are made of glass and filament wires. What
makes the most difference: a good lamp shade.

5. Printer paper -- You don't need fancy-schmancy
heavyweight paper anymore ... because who is printing out photos these
days anyway? For random school forms or address labels to return those
shoes that didn't fit, just nab the cheap store-brand ream of paper
(look for recycled paper and help the planet).

I don't like alot of the toilet paper options either....just bc its thick and cushy doesn't mean it should flake off....and with the kids that don't know how much to use (no matter how much I tell them) they use too much so it clogs the potty anyway.

I buy mainly generic....maybe bc I grew up with it and home made everything all I taste in the name brand stuff is salt....I don't taste FLAVOR. One thing that I HATE is Kraft mac and cheese....it tastes like absolutely nothing to me and the one with the cheese sauce in the metal pouch just tastes salty to me. I buy my local store brand and love it and pay a third the price.

I feel exactly the same way about Campbell's soup. Their veggie soup tastes like salt to me but if I buy the store brand it tastes like vegetables. I prefer most generic soups to the brand.

i buy store brand meds and some can foods or dry foods at time like some cereals depending on what it is, can beans, and dry beans, vitamins, i use coupons not as much as some others but i do try and use them and with doing that i am able to get more name brands. i will not use store brand or generic toilet paper, deodarant, perfume, lotion, shampoo and conditioners, garbage bags, make up or facial products, tampons or pads, dish washing soap and laundry soap and dog food- my dog loves her pedigree lol

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